Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 3:0 Aston Villa
1st & 2nd half half summary:
- Fernando Torres missing out as his wife has gone into labour, adding him onto the absentee list of skipper Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher due to injury.
- Liverpool kick off the game, Pepe Reina the skipper for tonight.
- Villa fail to clear the ball off the free kick they concede right outside the box, Dirk Kuyt puts the strike wide.
- Free kick in the same area seconds earlier comes to nothing, Kuyt losing the ball.
- First attempt on target for Villa, Albrighten in the box putting the ball over to his right, Reina picking it up quite comfortable.
- Honours and possession even after the first 12 minutes, neither goalkeeper challenged.
- Liverpool win the first corner of the night headed by Martin Skrtel from the edge of the box to David Ngog in the box and he jump-heads, nearly catapults it in, superb goal on 13:19, 1-0.
- 15:48 Ryan Babel makes it two, looked offside, lucky, turns around from the right corner of the box, taking the right-foot shot well to make it 2-0. Steven Warnock thought it was off, letting the Frenchman off and going on to score.
- First corner for Villa on 19, weak and easily cleared by Meireles.
- Second corner for the guests not much more productive, cleared easily by Skrtel.
- Another good chance for the Reds, Raul Meireles taking a free kick from right outside the box, Sotirios Kyrgiakos putting an easy, clear header wide.
- 10 minutes to go until half time, scrappy game but Liverpool on top, Aston Villa unable to keep the ball much longer than two seconds.
- Babel puts a shot from the edge of the box wide, Brad Friedel scrambling.
- First booking of the night: Ciaran Clark sees yellow for showing his studs v Lucas Leiva, his fifth this season, that means he will miss out Villa's next game against West Brom.
- 1 minute added on... Liverpool end the half comfortable 2-0 ahead, Villa lacking width and options without Ashley Young.
- Villa kicks the second half having made one change, Nathan Delfouneso replacing the booked Clark, formation changes to 4-4-2, will that change their fortune?
- Interesting fact: Liverpool haven't scored in the second half for the last 5 games, that makes it over 7.5 hours.
- Agbonlahor should have scored but doesn't get enough on it, Reina making a wonderful block-save. Glorious opportunity for Villa to start the comeback.
- Free kick right outside the box for Villa, ends up in Reina gloves, easy.
- Ngog from the left, into the box, outside right-foot pass to Maxi Rodriguez, easy shot into the right corner of the net on 54:56min, 3-0.
- Downing puts a half-volley painfully wide.
- Aston Villa enjoy much more possession this half but are not making much of it. All the passes backwards and forwards coming to nothing, not threatening Reina at all.
- Villa make their two remaining changes just before Downing takes a free kick left outside the box, close but the ball ends in Reina's gloves again.
- Glen Johnson looking for a fourth off a quickly taken free kick, makes it through the defense and pulls a great double-punch out by Friedel. Corner is easily and safely defended out to Villa's relief.
- Rodriguez finds Johnson inside the box who should have drilled it into the goal easy but insead puts it high without working Friedel.
- Liverpool pressing on, keeping Villa busy in the box. Corner, Kyrgiakos header cleared off the line by Hogg before Liverpool make their first change.
- Another corner for the Reds is cleared, Johnson wasting a good ball wide. Second substitution for the home side, Cole gets about 10 minutes after missing the last five matches.
- Last substitution for Liverpool, Kyrgiakos leaves the field and enjoys the applause, Martin Kelly replaces him.
- Babel turns the Villa team on their head with some beautiful movements and ends up being fowled for it.
- Ngog breaks, passes to Johnson who puts it too far for Babel to reach. They have certainly enjoyed tonight.
- 2 minutes added on, no interruptions at all to the game tonight apart from the changes... 3 goals, 3 points in the bag for Liverpool, 100 clean sheets for Reina, quicker than Grobbelaar and Clemence.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos (Kelly 84), Skrtel, Konchesky, Kuyt (Cole 80), Meireles, Lucas, Maxi (scored 55, Aurelio 76), Babel (scored 14), Ngog (scored 16).
Subs not used: Jones, Jovanovic, Poulsen, Shelvey.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Albrighton (Pires 66), Clark (booked 38, Delfouneso HT), Hogg, Downing, Ireland, Agbonlahor (Carew 66). Subs not used: Guzan, Cuellar, Lichaj, Herd.
1st half stats:
Liverpool-Aston Villa
Attempts: 5-1
On target: 2-1
Offsides: 0-0
Corners: 1-2
Free kicks: 9-6
Possession:
50%-50% after 12min
55%-45% at HT
2nd half stats:
Liverpool-Aston Villa
Attempts: 5-3
On target: 5-2
Offsides: 2-0
Corners: 3-1
Free kicks: 4-5
Possession:
40%-60% 2nd half up to 62min
50%-50% at FT
Referee: Phil Dowd
Man of the match: David Ngog
Monday, 6 December 2010
HT Summary: Liverpool 2:0 Aston Villa
Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 2:0 Aston Villa
1st half summary:
- Fernando Torres missing out as his wife has gone into labour, adding him onto the absentee list of skipper Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher due to injury.
- Liverpool kick off the game, Pepe Reina the skipper for tonight.
- Villa fail to clear the ball off the free kick they concede right outside the box, Dirk Kuyt puts the strike wide.
- Free kick in the same area seconds earlier comes to nothing, Kuyt losing the ball.
- First attempt on target for Villa, Albrighten in the box putting the ball over to his right, Reina picking it up quite comfortable.
- Honours and possession even after the first 12 minutes, neither goalkeeper challenged.
- Liverpool win the first corner of the night headed by Martin Skrtel from the edge of the box to David Ngog in the box and he jump-heads, nearly catapults it in, superb goal on 13:19, 1-0.
- 15:48 Ryan Babel makes it two, looked offside, lucky, turns around from the right corner of the box, taking the right-foot shot well to make it 2-0. Steven Warnock thought it was off, letting the Frenchman off and going on to score.
- First corner for Villa on 19, weak and easily cleared by Meireles.
- Second corner for the guests not much more productive, cleared easily by Skrtel.
- Another good chance for the Reds, Raul Meireles taking a free kick from right outside the box, Sotirios Kyrgiakos putting an easy, clear header wide.
- 10 minutes to go until half time, scrappy game but Liverpool on top, Aston Villa unable to keep the ball much longer than two seconds.
- Babel puts a shot from the edge of the box wide, Brad Friedel scrambling.
- First booking of the night: Ciaran Clark sees yellow for showing his studs v Lucas Leiva, his fifth this season, that means he will miss out Villa's next game against West Brom.
- 1 minute added on... Liverpool end the half comfortable 2-0 ahead, Villa lacking width and options without Ashley Young.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Konchesky, Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Maxi, Babel (scored 14), Ngog (scored 16).
Subs: Jones, Aurelio, Cole, Jovanovic, Poulsen, Shelvey, Kelly.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Albrighton, Clark (booked 38), Hogg, Downing, Ireland, Agbonlahor.
Subs: Guzan, Pires, Carew, Delfouneso, Cuellar, Lichaj, Herd.
1st half stats:
Liverpool-Aston Villa
Attempts: 5-1
On target: 2-1
Offsides: 0-0
Corners: 1-2
Free kicks: 9-6
Possession:
50%-50% after 12min
55%-45% at HT
Referee: Phil Dowd
1st half summary:
- Fernando Torres missing out as his wife has gone into labour, adding him onto the absentee list of skipper Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher due to injury.
- Liverpool kick off the game, Pepe Reina the skipper for tonight.
- Villa fail to clear the ball off the free kick they concede right outside the box, Dirk Kuyt puts the strike wide.
- Free kick in the same area seconds earlier comes to nothing, Kuyt losing the ball.
- First attempt on target for Villa, Albrighten in the box putting the ball over to his right, Reina picking it up quite comfortable.
- Honours and possession even after the first 12 minutes, neither goalkeeper challenged.
- Liverpool win the first corner of the night headed by Martin Skrtel from the edge of the box to David Ngog in the box and he jump-heads, nearly catapults it in, superb goal on 13:19, 1-0.
- 15:48 Ryan Babel makes it two, looked offside, lucky, turns around from the right corner of the box, taking the right-foot shot well to make it 2-0. Steven Warnock thought it was off, letting the Frenchman off and going on to score.
- First corner for Villa on 19, weak and easily cleared by Meireles.
- Second corner for the guests not much more productive, cleared easily by Skrtel.
- Another good chance for the Reds, Raul Meireles taking a free kick from right outside the box, Sotirios Kyrgiakos putting an easy, clear header wide.
- 10 minutes to go until half time, scrappy game but Liverpool on top, Aston Villa unable to keep the ball much longer than two seconds.
- Babel puts a shot from the edge of the box wide, Brad Friedel scrambling.
- First booking of the night: Ciaran Clark sees yellow for showing his studs v Lucas Leiva, his fifth this season, that means he will miss out Villa's next game against West Brom.
- 1 minute added on... Liverpool end the half comfortable 2-0 ahead, Villa lacking width and options without Ashley Young.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Konchesky, Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Maxi, Babel (scored 14), Ngog (scored 16).
Subs: Jones, Aurelio, Cole, Jovanovic, Poulsen, Shelvey, Kelly.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Albrighton, Clark (booked 38), Hogg, Downing, Ireland, Agbonlahor.
Subs: Guzan, Pires, Carew, Delfouneso, Cuellar, Lichaj, Herd.
1st half stats:
Liverpool-Aston Villa
Attempts: 5-1
On target: 2-1
Offsides: 0-0
Corners: 1-2
Free kicks: 9-6
Possession:
50%-50% after 12min
55%-45% at HT
Referee: Phil Dowd
Australia survive to take it to the last day
Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 2nd Test - Adelaide Oval - 4th Day
My picks of the fourth day:
Kevin Pietersen struck late on to lift the spirits and hope of victory for England on the last day of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval. Graeme Swann took two wickets on the day, threatening to break through and down the Aussies most. But many close calls were not close enough and Australia ended the day on 238-4, 137 behind, hoping for more rain to disrupt most of the last day as it did this evening.
My picks of the fourth day:
Kevin Pietersen struck late on to lift the spirits and hope of victory for England on the last day of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval. Graeme Swann took two wickets on the day, threatening to break through and down the Aussies most. But many close calls were not close enough and Australia ended the day on 238-4, 137 behind, hoping for more rain to disrupt most of the last day as it did this evening.
Run of play: Advantage to...
1st session, England dec 620-5, 375 ahead, Australia 78-0, 277 behind at lunch: England make the controversial decision to continue batting the first overs of the day, it pays off, they add 69 off 9 overs, that's nearly 8 runs an over (!) but fail to take advantage with the ball, no early wickets this time round.
2nd session, Australia 160-3, 215 behind at tea: England make the breakthrough, Swann making Australia wabble. Everyone can smell Aussie blood, rain the only thing that can save them and wash it away.
3rd session, Australia 238-4, 137 behind at the end of day four: Michael Clarke looked he was going to take Australia safely to the end of the day, before he gave his wicket away with the last ball. Australia will be keeping on the rain dance tonight, that's for sure, all eyes are on England bowlers whether they can wipe the hosts out, whatever the weather.
Parternships: The opening partnership of 84 between Shane Watson and Simon Katich frustrated England as they were hoping to break and shake up Australia in similar fashion to the first innings. They did break eventually and then had a little shake up and shiver thanks to Swann taking out Katich for 43 caught behind by Matt Prior and Ricky Ponting soon after caught by Paul Collingwood for only 9, but 104 between Clarke and Mike Hussey (44) settled the hosts in again. But, just when you thought they were set to stand, they fell again, KP making the breakthrough with the last ball of the day, starring not only with the bat but with the ball now too, getting Clarke out for 80, breaking the biggest partneship of the innings so far.
Bowling: Swann was Australia's main thorn in the eye throughout the day, bowling 34 overs in total. Although he only got the two wickets on the day as mentioned above, he could have had four or six the way he was going. He was so close again and again, shaving and scaring the Aussie batsmen again and again, but was not close enough and England will need to hope the rain will not spoil the show for them on the last day.
Ups: As mentioned, Swann mocked Australia in the second session, only 82 runs from it, England so close to taking over and winning the game.
Downs: The weather again. Australia will be dancing the rain dance throughout the night as I cannot see anything else, any of their batsmen that has the stamina to take them through to a draw.
Hero to zero: Clarke out for 80, not able to make a ton of a good start yet again. He is the tip of the iceberg as far as Australia are concerned. Just when you think he could be the one to stay put and save the hosts, he falls. That's general tone of the music as far as the Australian batsmen are concerned so far in this match.
Australia v England second Test day four as it happened
1st session:
- England opt to resume batting on day four, they are 551-4, 306 ahead, Pietersen and Bell on a 99 off 152 partnership, 98 overs to be bowled today due to the rain disruption yesterday.
- Bollinger kicks off the day v Pietersen, who is on 213 off 296, 0 4 2 0 1, Bell faces the last ball of the over on 41 off 76, 0 from it, England 558-4 at the end of that over, 106 partnership off 158 balls, 313 ahead.
- Pietersen v Peter Siddle on the cathedral end, 1 1 1 0 0 0, 561-4 after the second over of the day, 145 overs in total.
- KP distracted by Shane Warne's burger (ad) face in the background, withdraws from the first delivery, controversial move, Bollinger's not amused, 3 from the over, Eng 564-4.
- Xavier Doherty on for Siddle, v KP, who scores a boundary off the first ball to get to his career best Test score - and is out the next delivery, caught at slip by Katich after a slight turn, 227 off 308, Eng 568-5, 323 ahead. Prior's in, off the mark with 3 runs off the second ball he faces, Bell smacking in a six off the last ball, England 577-5 at the end of that over, 332 ahead, Bell on 49.
- Siddle's changed ends now, produces a yorker, full and straight lbw shout, Prior sends it to the third umpire, not looking too confident though after being hit full on on the foot... Decision overturned as the virtual eye shows the ball would have gone on wide. Good call there after all by Prior. Single off the last ball, England end the over 578-5, 333 lead.
- Half century for Bell, his 25th. Next delivery, Prior has another lucky escape, smacking the ball up, Ponting and Siddle both go for it and it drops right between them, mis-communication or more like no communication between the two. England 589-5 after that Doherty over.
- Siddle continues at the other end. 596-5 after Bell smacks the last ball for four, he's on the charge.
- Doherty v Prior, 2 1 2 2 3 4, 14 off the over! It's second time since WWII that England have scored over 600 against Australia, Bell passes his 4000 mark in career runs. Eng 610-5, 42 off 28 partnership between Bell and Prior, England are bashing it in.
- 52 partnership off 34 balls, 10 off the over, England 620-5 off 152 overs, their highest score against Australia since 1937. It gives the guests a lead of 375 runs, Andrew Strauss calls his men in and declares, Bell finishing on 68 off 97 and Prior on 27 off 21. 9 overs bowled so far today, 69 scored from them, that's 7.67 per over and only 1 wicket.
- England huddling on the field looking for a similar start as in the first innings, Australia's openers coming on, hoping for more rain (forecasted for later today and tomorrow btw).
- James Anderon starts v Shane Watson, with three slips and two gullies waiting and preying, edge on third delivery goes through the gap for the first boundary of the innings. A leg slip and a short mid-wicket for an injured Simon Katich, he gets a single and Watson finished the over with another boundary. 0 0 4 1 1 4, Australia 10-1 after the first over.
- Katich v Stuart Broad at the other end, positive shot for a single, good early signs for the Aussies. Katich and Watson aiming and scoring through the gap between slip and gully. 1 0 2 0 4 0, Aus 17-0 after 2 overs.
- Good maiden over by Anderson v Katich, there is movement on that pitch and this over showed it, Katich leaving a close one, Aus still 17-0 after 3 overs.
- Good line and maiden by Broad too, Aus 17-0 after 4 overs.
- 4 0 0 0 4 4, 12 off the 5th over, cool shots by Katich who ends the over on 15, Watson on 14, Aus 29-0.
- 1 0 0 0 0 0, Broad changes angle by coming around the wicket v Katich, some sweet deliveries, Aus 30-0 after 6 overs.
- 0 0 0 4 0 0, a firm drive by Watson v Anderson gives Australia another boundary and makes it 34 off 7 overs for the hosts.
- 0 0 0 1 0 0, top edge by Katich v Broad lands safely nowhere near any fielders, get a single from it, Aus 35-0 after 8 overs.
- Anderson going around the wicket v Katich and is sliced away for four. Australia showing the right attitude with a high run rate, 0 4 0 1 4 0 this over, 44-0 after 9.
- And Graeme Swann is on for Broad in the 10th over, good and right move by Strauss after Australia have been whacking in nearly 5 runs per over. Katich faces the spinner first, 1b after the ball bounced off the wicketkeeper's pad, Watson now against the spin 0 0 0 0 0, nice and full first over by Swann, Aus 45-0 after 10 overs, Watson on 24, Katich on 20.
- Broad swaps ends and takes over the other end from Anderson, v Katich, 0 0 1 0 0 0, Aus 46-0 after 11 overs.
- 0 0 2 0 1 1, Aus 50-0 after 12 overs, Watson contributing 25 off 36, Katich 24 off 36, the last shot a close catch-call for Cook. Drinks break.
- Broad v Watson, a maiden over with a little lbw shout but it was outside the line and very far forward, so, not even worth a review, Aus 50-0 after 13 overs.
- Swann v Katich, 0 0 1 0 0 0, Aus 51-0 after 14 overs.
- Just a single off the last ball of the over, Katich hobbling across, feeling the close shaves against Broad, Aus 52-0 after 15 overs.
- Three/four close calls and escapes for Australia: One through Bell's legs at silly point, one wazzes past Strauss, just, for Anderson to throw it back quickly for a chance of a run out and last but not least Bell shouts and tumbles back and over for a catch - but all not quite there in the end. Aus 55-0 after 16 overs, Swann tickling the Aussies.
- Another maiden by Broad, 55-0 after 17 overs.
- Good over by Swann, England jumping and shouting for everything, lbw, catch, anything. You feel it is, or something is, just around the corner... Aus 56-0 after 18 overs.
- Steve Finn's on for Broad, boundary off the last ball by Watson, his patience paying off, Aus 60-0 after 19 overs.
- Maiden by Swann, a little lbw shout nothing more, the sillies and the gullies paying off and covering well.
- Australia 78-0 at lunch, England so close.
2nd session:
- Swann gets the breakthrough soon after lunch in his 11th over having Katich's little nick caught behind, he's out for 43.
- Ponting on, off the mark with a boundary from the 13th delivery he faces.
- Ponting is caught and out for 9 a couple of deliveries later, by Paul Colling wood at slip, another one for Swann, Aus lose their skipper for cheep again and are shaking a little bit on 98-2.
- Watson reaches his 13th Test fifty with his 9th boundary of the day v Broad.
- Watson caught by Strauss low at slip off Finn, out for 57, failing once againt to convert a good convincing start into a century, Aus 134-3.
- Australia 160-3 at tea, 215 behind, Clarke on 36, Hussey on 14, England bowling beautifully, keeping the pressure on the Aussies, but they will need wickets quickly as there have been severe weather warnings for later today and tomorrow - Warne thinking there won't be a ball bowled tomorrow, the way he knows Adelaide and the weather... And it's already getting darker and darker.
3rd session:
- And the covers come on eventually, this could be it... Australia 175-3, 200 runs behind.
- But the clouds have lifted! 19 overs to be squeezed in at the end of the day after all! England have make the most (wickets) of it!
- Clarke given out on 67, caught at slip, but the referall shows the ball brushed nothing but his pad, the decision is rightly turned over, not out.
- Swann is giving his all here, having bowled over 30 overs today. He is still giving Australia problem, Clarke escaping a couple close catch-calls.
- Pietersen is on for the last couple of overs and the change pays off. He has Clarke caught at short-leg with the last ball of the day to make it 238-4 at the end of day four, Australia trailing by 137. There was an obvious nick on Clarke's bat before it came off his arm, England in celebration, the umpire unmoved, it is sent to the third umpire, out dead for 80, KP's fifth Test wicket. It brightens England's day and spirit ahead of the fifth and final day, they will just be hoping the weather will be playing along with them.
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Record breaker KP & England rule at Adelaide
Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 2nd Test - Adelaide Oval - 3rd Day
My picks of the third day:
Record breaker Kevin Pietersen has put England on top with his second Test-career double-century, giving the visitors a massive 306-run lead on the third day at the Adelaide Oval. Hitting one six and 31 fours, KP helped England to 551-4 before rain prevented any further play after tea, leaving Australia reeling and wondering when they will have to face the taunting and terrorising England bowling music with the bat.
Run of Play: Advantage to...
1st session, England 449-3, 204 ahead at lunch: England happy and healthy scoring 132 off 26 overs this session, that's over 5 runs per over! KP thriving and bashing on 159, Colly joining in on 40, England look unstoppable, Australia and Ponting in disbelief.
2nd session, England 551-4, 306 ahead at tea: England smashing boundary after boundary, partnership after partnership, KP breaking record after record, Australia in no man's land, Ponting clueless who or what to resort to to change the trend of the game.
3rd session, England 551-4, 306 ahead at the end of day three: Rain ends the day at tea, England will be contemplating whether and when to declare and put the Aussies on to bat on day four, Australia will be doing the rain dance.
Partnerships: It's all about Kevin Pietersen today, scoring boundary after boundary, holding one partnership after another: 175 with Alastair Cook (c Haddin b Harris for 148 off 269), 101 with Paul Collingwood (lbw b Watson for 42 off 70) and lastly and still standing at 99 Ian Bell joining the smashing record breaker (on 41 off 76). With 213 off 296, including 32 fours and 1 six, KP hit the record score at the Adelaide Oval, breaking Cook's record of 206 from 2006. After all the criticism he had to face over the last year or two, since losing his captaincy and form, this could not have been a better stage and a stronger performance to prove his doubters wrong. Yes, it's not the same Australian side as in the last few Ashes series, but, that should not and does not nullify Pietersen's achievement here today, exemplary top class cricket, no doubt about it.
Bowling: Ricky Ponting looked clueless who or what to turn to next. Doug Bollinger, Peter Siddle and Xavier Doherty were all England's victims with poor bowling and no sign of confidence, getting smashed all over the place. Ryan Harris was the only bowler who got something out of the pitch, keeping the batsmen guessing and that little bit wondering and worried with their bats dangling. Signs of desperation were useless and pointless reviews, lots of misfielding and skipper Ponting not having many options to take or turn to to change the trend of the game.
Ups: Bam - boom - bang, smash, hit, score. That was the tone and trend of the day. A couple of wickets fell as well of course, but KP and England made sure they were quickly forgotten and rode the show with the bat.
Downs: The rain, ending the grand day at tea - the Aussies will certainly be hoping for more of that the next two days, because I cannot see anything or anyone else saving them.
Hero to zero: Again Australia lacked options, Ricky Ponting looked a very lonely man indeed. He and everyone watching is left wondering who will be the one to step up and break up England, who will be the hero for Australia. So far, there is none, niente, zero - Harris is the only man I feel who looks able and is at least trying to make a competition of it against England so far.
Australia v England second Test day three as it happened
1st session:
- Kevin Pietersen v Doug Bollinger to kick off the third day of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval, England 317-2, lead by 72, Alastair Cook on 136, Pietersen on 85, 141 partnership off 243 deliveries.
- Boundary for KP off the last ball of Bollinger's over, 321-2 after 90 overs.
- Cook v Ryan Harris at the other end, 1 0 0 0 1 0, 323-2 after 91 overs.
- Pietersen has been dismissed in his 90s five times before in his career... 1 0 0 0 0 0, 324-2 after 92 overs.
- Lbw appeal, Harris v Cook, not given, leg bye signalled, Ponting sends it to the third umpire for a review, looked outside the line plus there may have been a hint of inside edge, replay confirms, not out, Australia give away a review in desperation. Boundary brings up 150 partnership, 153 off 266, Cook contributing 59 off 113 and KP 91 off 153. 1lb 0 0 0 4 0, 329-2 after 93 overs.
- 0 0 3 2 1 1, 336-2 after 94 overs.
- KP's century drought has come to an end, his 17th in his career, 3rd v Australia, all top four batsmen have now already scored centuries for England against Australia in this Ashes series, 343-2 after 95 overs.
- Pietersen boundary brings up 100 lead for England, 347-2 after 96 overs.
- Harris v Pietersen, gets him in a mighty tangle with a high bouncer, right in the face, followed by another quick bouncer which KP smashes up but is lucky that the ball drops to ground nowhere near a fieldsman, boundary through Clarke's legs the next delivery, frustration to embarrasment - to joy! Haddin catches Cook's chip, what a catch, jump far and low to his right, Cook knows it came of his bat, big inside edge, and he walks without opting for a review, standing ovation, Cook out for 148 off 269, England 351-3. Paul Collingwood is on. Good, impressive over by Harris, 0 1 2 W 0 0, 351-3, 106 ahead after 97 overs.
- KP is skipping now against a slowed down Bollinger, hitting him left, right and centre, for a couple here, a boundary there, 357-3 after 98 overs, lead by 112.
- Harris not looking very comfortable, he seems to be having problem with his shoulder, but finishes with a maiden over, 357-3 after 99 overs.
- Figures so far today: 10 overs, 40 runs, 1 wicket, 12.4 over rate, 4 run rate.
- Peter Siddle is on for Bollinger, v KP, bangs in a bouncer to start with... 0 4 4 1 0 0, 366-3 after 100 overs.
- Poor bouncers by Siddle, Collingwood survives a couple, two slips and two gullies set against him after long mangling and hangling by Ricky Ponting. His tactical change didn't work there, at all! Pietersen 121 off 174.
- Harris into his sixth over in this spell, Collingwood off the mark running four, followed by a misfield-single. 372-3 after 101, 3.68 is the healthy run rate putting England in a very strong position for a massive total again.
- 4 byes from a massive reverse swing, no chance for the keeper, Siddle's surprised himself, 378-3 after 102 overs, drinks come on after an hour's play this morning, England averaging about one run per minute, 4.7 per over, healthy rates.
- Xavier Doherty on for Harris v KP, who has shown weakness against left-arm spin in the past, a couple of boundaries, 9 runs in total off the over, early signs of the day not good for Doherty, England 387-3 after 103 overs.
- Yet another boundary brings up KP's 150, his 6th 150+ score.
- KP finds the gap, between two fielders for yet another four, the Aussies were shouting for a catch...
- This session: 26 overs, 132 runs, 1 wicket, 13 over rate, 5.08 run rate, England happy and healthy on 449-3 after 115 overs, lead by 204 at lunch, KP on 159, Colly on 40, Ponting in disbelief.
2nd session:
- Collingwood out after just passing the 100 partnership with KP, lbw, no review, ball hit both pads, deep in the crease, plumb, Colly out for 42 (70), England 452-4, Ian Bell's off the mark with a boundary.
- Lbw + catch-it shouts v Bell, not out, not worth a review as there was an obvious inside edge, the Aussies clutching onto any straw or anything right now.
- Austrlia looking very tired, hobbling around, showing no variety, change, Ponting one lonely man.
- Harris v Pietersen, the only bowler who kept the batsmen guessing and that little bit wondering and worried, beats KP first ball, the ball passing his dangling bat. 493-4 after that over.
- Pietersen boundary and tight single brings up 500 for England, looks like KP pulled a hamstring there.
- 50 partnership, KP contributing 28 off 44, Bell 20 off 40.
- Boundary after boundary after boundary... England pass 275-lead... Pietersen moves onto 198, Bell 30...
- And that's KP's 2nd Test double-century for England, he's the man, he has made Adelaide his own today. Bell wants his say as well, pushing in a boundary of his own. Light drizzle around...
- More clean strikes and boundaries bring up the 300 lead for England and a record to KP, the highest scorer at this ground. Expensive over for Doherty brings up 550 for England, 14 runs from it, 551-4.
- 102 runs from 28 overs this session, 3.64 run rate, 99 partnership between Pietersen (213 off 296, record score at the Adelaide Oval, breaking Cook's record of 206 from 2006, 32 fours, 1 six) and Bell (41 off 75), 551-4, a lead of 306 runs after 143 overs at tea.
3rd session:
- And that's it for the day, rain taking over at Adelaide, England will be contemplating whether and when to declare and put the Aussies on to bat on day four, Australia will be doing the rain dance.
My picks of the third day:
Record breaker Kevin Pietersen has put England on top with his second Test-career double-century, giving the visitors a massive 306-run lead on the third day at the Adelaide Oval. Hitting one six and 31 fours, KP helped England to 551-4 before rain prevented any further play after tea, leaving Australia reeling and wondering when they will have to face the taunting and terrorising England bowling music with the bat.
Run of Play: Advantage to...
1st session, England 449-3, 204 ahead at lunch: England happy and healthy scoring 132 off 26 overs this session, that's over 5 runs per over! KP thriving and bashing on 159, Colly joining in on 40, England look unstoppable, Australia and Ponting in disbelief.
2nd session, England 551-4, 306 ahead at tea: England smashing boundary after boundary, partnership after partnership, KP breaking record after record, Australia in no man's land, Ponting clueless who or what to resort to to change the trend of the game.
3rd session, England 551-4, 306 ahead at the end of day three: Rain ends the day at tea, England will be contemplating whether and when to declare and put the Aussies on to bat on day four, Australia will be doing the rain dance.
Partnerships: It's all about Kevin Pietersen today, scoring boundary after boundary, holding one partnership after another: 175 with Alastair Cook (c Haddin b Harris for 148 off 269), 101 with Paul Collingwood (lbw b Watson for 42 off 70) and lastly and still standing at 99 Ian Bell joining the smashing record breaker (on 41 off 76). With 213 off 296, including 32 fours and 1 six, KP hit the record score at the Adelaide Oval, breaking Cook's record of 206 from 2006. After all the criticism he had to face over the last year or two, since losing his captaincy and form, this could not have been a better stage and a stronger performance to prove his doubters wrong. Yes, it's not the same Australian side as in the last few Ashes series, but, that should not and does not nullify Pietersen's achievement here today, exemplary top class cricket, no doubt about it.
Bowling: Ricky Ponting looked clueless who or what to turn to next. Doug Bollinger, Peter Siddle and Xavier Doherty were all England's victims with poor bowling and no sign of confidence, getting smashed all over the place. Ryan Harris was the only bowler who got something out of the pitch, keeping the batsmen guessing and that little bit wondering and worried with their bats dangling. Signs of desperation were useless and pointless reviews, lots of misfielding and skipper Ponting not having many options to take or turn to to change the trend of the game.
Ups: Bam - boom - bang, smash, hit, score. That was the tone and trend of the day. A couple of wickets fell as well of course, but KP and England made sure they were quickly forgotten and rode the show with the bat.
Downs: The rain, ending the grand day at tea - the Aussies will certainly be hoping for more of that the next two days, because I cannot see anything or anyone else saving them.
Hero to zero: Again Australia lacked options, Ricky Ponting looked a very lonely man indeed. He and everyone watching is left wondering who will be the one to step up and break up England, who will be the hero for Australia. So far, there is none, niente, zero - Harris is the only man I feel who looks able and is at least trying to make a competition of it against England so far.
Australia v England second Test day three as it happened
1st session:
- Kevin Pietersen v Doug Bollinger to kick off the third day of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval, England 317-2, lead by 72, Alastair Cook on 136, Pietersen on 85, 141 partnership off 243 deliveries.
- Boundary for KP off the last ball of Bollinger's over, 321-2 after 90 overs.
- Cook v Ryan Harris at the other end, 1 0 0 0 1 0, 323-2 after 91 overs.
- Pietersen has been dismissed in his 90s five times before in his career... 1 0 0 0 0 0, 324-2 after 92 overs.
- Lbw appeal, Harris v Cook, not given, leg bye signalled, Ponting sends it to the third umpire for a review, looked outside the line plus there may have been a hint of inside edge, replay confirms, not out, Australia give away a review in desperation. Boundary brings up 150 partnership, 153 off 266, Cook contributing 59 off 113 and KP 91 off 153. 1lb 0 0 0 4 0, 329-2 after 93 overs.
- 0 0 3 2 1 1, 336-2 after 94 overs.
- KP's century drought has come to an end, his 17th in his career, 3rd v Australia, all top four batsmen have now already scored centuries for England against Australia in this Ashes series, 343-2 after 95 overs.
- Pietersen boundary brings up 100 lead for England, 347-2 after 96 overs.
- Harris v Pietersen, gets him in a mighty tangle with a high bouncer, right in the face, followed by another quick bouncer which KP smashes up but is lucky that the ball drops to ground nowhere near a fieldsman, boundary through Clarke's legs the next delivery, frustration to embarrasment - to joy! Haddin catches Cook's chip, what a catch, jump far and low to his right, Cook knows it came of his bat, big inside edge, and he walks without opting for a review, standing ovation, Cook out for 148 off 269, England 351-3. Paul Collingwood is on. Good, impressive over by Harris, 0 1 2 W 0 0, 351-3, 106 ahead after 97 overs.
- KP is skipping now against a slowed down Bollinger, hitting him left, right and centre, for a couple here, a boundary there, 357-3 after 98 overs, lead by 112.
- Harris not looking very comfortable, he seems to be having problem with his shoulder, but finishes with a maiden over, 357-3 after 99 overs.
- Figures so far today: 10 overs, 40 runs, 1 wicket, 12.4 over rate, 4 run rate.
- Peter Siddle is on for Bollinger, v KP, bangs in a bouncer to start with... 0 4 4 1 0 0, 366-3 after 100 overs.
- Poor bouncers by Siddle, Collingwood survives a couple, two slips and two gullies set against him after long mangling and hangling by Ricky Ponting. His tactical change didn't work there, at all! Pietersen 121 off 174.
- Harris into his sixth over in this spell, Collingwood off the mark running four, followed by a misfield-single. 372-3 after 101, 3.68 is the healthy run rate putting England in a very strong position for a massive total again.
- 4 byes from a massive reverse swing, no chance for the keeper, Siddle's surprised himself, 378-3 after 102 overs, drinks come on after an hour's play this morning, England averaging about one run per minute, 4.7 per over, healthy rates.
- Xavier Doherty on for Harris v KP, who has shown weakness against left-arm spin in the past, a couple of boundaries, 9 runs in total off the over, early signs of the day not good for Doherty, England 387-3 after 103 overs.
- Yet another boundary brings up KP's 150, his 6th 150+ score.
- KP finds the gap, between two fielders for yet another four, the Aussies were shouting for a catch...
- This session: 26 overs, 132 runs, 1 wicket, 13 over rate, 5.08 run rate, England happy and healthy on 449-3 after 115 overs, lead by 204 at lunch, KP on 159, Colly on 40, Ponting in disbelief.
2nd session:
- Collingwood out after just passing the 100 partnership with KP, lbw, no review, ball hit both pads, deep in the crease, plumb, Colly out for 42 (70), England 452-4, Ian Bell's off the mark with a boundary.
- Lbw + catch-it shouts v Bell, not out, not worth a review as there was an obvious inside edge, the Aussies clutching onto any straw or anything right now.
- Austrlia looking very tired, hobbling around, showing no variety, change, Ponting one lonely man.
- Harris v Pietersen, the only bowler who kept the batsmen guessing and that little bit wondering and worried, beats KP first ball, the ball passing his dangling bat. 493-4 after that over.
- Pietersen boundary and tight single brings up 500 for England, looks like KP pulled a hamstring there.
- 50 partnership, KP contributing 28 off 44, Bell 20 off 40.
- Boundary after boundary after boundary... England pass 275-lead... Pietersen moves onto 198, Bell 30...
- And that's KP's 2nd Test double-century for England, he's the man, he has made Adelaide his own today. Bell wants his say as well, pushing in a boundary of his own. Light drizzle around...
- More clean strikes and boundaries bring up the 300 lead for England and a record to KP, the highest scorer at this ground. Expensive over for Doherty brings up 550 for England, 14 runs from it, 551-4.
- 102 runs from 28 overs this session, 3.64 run rate, 99 partnership between Pietersen (213 off 296, record score at the Adelaide Oval, breaking Cook's record of 206 from 2006, 32 fours, 1 six) and Bell (41 off 75), 551-4, a lead of 306 runs after 143 overs at tea.
3rd session:
- And that's it for the day, rain taking over at Adelaide, England will be contemplating whether and when to declare and put the Aussies on to bat on day four, Australia will be doing the rain dance.
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Cook century puts England in command
Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 2nd Test - Adelaide Oval - Day 2
My picks of the second day:
Alastair Cook put England on top on the second day at the Adelaide Oval, hitting in 138* of the 317 runs and giving the guests a 72-run lead. Jonathan Trott (78) and Kevin Pietersen (85*) enjoyed their fair share of runs in partnership with the centurion and will be looking to continue the run - to Australia's despair, who thought they got their breakthrough(s) but were left on the back foot and blank-faced to their misfortunes.
Run of Play: Advantage to...
1st session, England 90-1, 155 behind, at lunch: After losing the early wicket and a couple of lucky escapes, England will be the happier side for now. Australia mourn the missed chance, fortune still avoiding them.
2nd session, England 198-2, 47 behind, at tea: Another wicket down, but England are still in command, leaving the Aussie bowlers clueless and a bit gobsmacked that still nothing is going their way.
3rd session, England 317-2, 72 ahead, at the end of day two: England on top with centurion Cook and his partner KP on his way to his own century scoring freely and not feeling much pressure from Bollinger and Harris.
My picks of the second day:
Alastair Cook put England on top on the second day at the Adelaide Oval, hitting in 138* of the 317 runs and giving the guests a 72-run lead. Jonathan Trott (78) and Kevin Pietersen (85*) enjoyed their fair share of runs in partnership with the centurion and will be looking to continue the run - to Australia's despair, who thought they got their breakthrough(s) but were left on the back foot and blank-faced to their misfortunes.
Run of Play: Advantage to...
1st session, England 90-1, 155 behind, at lunch: After losing the early wicket and a couple of lucky escapes, England will be the happier side for now. Australia mourn the missed chance, fortune still avoiding them.
2nd session, England 198-2, 47 behind, at tea: Another wicket down, but England are still in command, leaving the Aussie bowlers clueless and a bit gobsmacked that still nothing is going their way.
3rd session, England 317-2, 72 ahead, at the end of day two: England on top with centurion Cook and his partner KP on his way to his own century scoring freely and not feeling much pressure from Bollinger and Harris.
Partnerships: Andrew Strauss will have cursed himself for leaving the ball which went on and took the bails off the stumps and sent him back into the pavilion with only one run. The start of the day for England looked very similar to Australia's morning, with confusion and errors that could have proved costly for the guests. But fortune was definitely more with them, Trott being dropped twice before he eventually fell for 78 (144), adding 173 runs to the board together with Cook. Much criticised Pietersen ended the day still on the crease together with Cook, adding 85 (141) to the 141 partnership so far and looking too comfortable for the host's liking. It was all about partnering with starman Cook today, who stands unbeaten on 136 (246), taking his series total so far to 438 after his unbeaten double-century at Brisbane.
Bowling: Once Australia were spoilt for choice in wicket takers, match winners and control takers with the likes of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Brett Lee or Stuart Clark on the list. Nowadays they are left clueless and wondering what it takes, what they need to change their fortune and take over or just something out of the match. Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris came in for Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus but haven't shown much to explain or justify their selection. They did get a wicket each, the prior lucky to see Strauss give his stumps away, the latter seeing Trott out with Michael Clarke taking a very good catch at midwicket after he was dropped twice before. Neither was much of a breakthrough though as partnerships of 173 and 141* following and still going on respectively.
Ups: England are having a field day and match so far. Especially good for Cook as there were many doubters whether he was worth keeping the opening spot. England will hope the trend and luck will continue...
Downs & Hero to zero: Australia are a shadow of the side they used to be, which is a shame for the game. Obviously England fans won't be moaning about it, but, if we want a juicy competition, the Aussies will have to pick themselves up somehow and right now I cannot see from where or with whom they will do that...
Australia v England second Test day two as it happened:
As I didn't get to catch the action live, I have to leave you with a BBC Link.
Friday, 3 December 2010
Draw takes Reds through to the next round
Sports - Football - Europa League - St. Bucharest 1-1 Liverpool
It was not as confident and comfortable as their 4-1 home win against Steaua, the Romanian side pushing more, dominating in possession and chances this time round, but not getting much out of it, not creating much of a threat against Liverpool.
Milan Jovanovic put the visitors ahead in Bucharest on 19, heading the ball into the bottom corner from Ryan Babel's cross.
Job done as far as Liverpool are concerned.
Apart from Pepe Reina's blunder which gave the home side the equalizer - the ball embarrasingly squirming under the goalkeeper and over the line off Eder Bonfirm's speculative header (61) - the Reds did not have much to worry about.
It was not as confident and comfortable as their 4-1 home win against Steaua, the Romanian side pushing more, dominating in possession and chances this time round, but not getting much out of it, not creating much of a threat against Liverpool.
Milan Jovanovic put the visitors ahead in Bucharest on 19, heading the ball into the bottom corner from Ryan Babel's cross.It was all just procedure from there, Reds boss Roy Hodgson can be happy with his B-team making it through, having eight regular first-teamers either missing through injury or being rested.
He will be glad his gamble payed off as Liverpool qualify for the knock-out stage of the Europa League.
St. Bucharest: Tatarusanu; Gardos, Latovlevici (Szekely 80), Geraldo, Eder (scored 61, booked 81); Tanase, Nicolita (booked 63), Gomes, Bicfalvi (Angelov 46); Surdu (booked 20), Stancu.
Subs not used: Lungu, Emeghara, Abrudan, Martinovic, Matei.
Liverpool: Reina; Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Kelly; Cole (Ngog 75), Poulsen, Shelvey, Pacheco (Lucas 89); Jovanovic (Eccleston 78), Babel.
Subs not used: Jones, Skrtel, Flanagan, Ronbinson.
BBC stats:
St. Bucharest-Liverpool
Attempts: 10-3
On target: 3-1
Corners: 10-4
Free kicks: 7-7
Possession: 60%-40%
Subs not used: Lungu, Emeghara, Abrudan, Martinovic, Matei.
Liverpool: Reina; Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Kelly; Cole (Ngog 75), Poulsen, Shelvey, Pacheco (Lucas 89); Jovanovic (Eccleston 78), Babel.
Subs not used: Jones, Skrtel, Flanagan, Ronbinson.
BBC stats:
St. Bucharest-Liverpool
Attempts: 10-3
On target: 3-1
Corners: 10-4
Free kicks: 7-7
Possession: 60%-40%
Sky Sports stats:
St. Bucharest-Liverpool
Attempts: 16-5
On target: 4-1
Offsides: 2-5
Corners: 10-4
Free kicks: 9-8
Possession: 64.6%-35.4%
Passing Success: 85.2%-75.2%
Tackles/Success: 16/87.5%-15/80%
Territorial Advantage: 52.9%-47.1%
Referee: Bulant Yildrim
Man of the match: Sotirios Kyrgiakos
St. Bucharest-Liverpool
Attempts: 16-5
On target: 4-1
Offsides: 2-5
Corners: 10-4
Free kicks: 9-8
Possession: 64.6%-35.4%
Passing Success: 85.2%-75.2%
Tackles/Success: 16/87.5%-15/80%
Territorial Advantage: 52.9%-47.1%
Referee: Bulant Yildrim
Man of the match: Sotirios Kyrgiakos
England shock Australia on the first day
Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 2nd Test - Adelaide Oval - Day 1
My picks of the first day:
Australia won the toss and that was the only thing that went their way on the first day of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval. England, their own clumsiness and a bit of misfortune tore them up to 245 all out. James Anderson is the man of the day with four wickets after giving Australia most pain and vain. England finished the day on 1-0, 244 behind, full of confidence and high expectations after all spoils went to them on the first day.
Run of Play: Advantage to...
1st session, Australia 94-3 at lunch: England could not have dreamt up this start, Australia in dismay. After a chaotic nightmare start to the morning at 2-3, the hosts recovered a little bit before the break thanks to Watson and Hussey.
2nd session, Australia 159-5 at tea: England again as happy as Larry, keeping Australia under pressure constantly, giving none of their batsmen time or room to settle and build up a solid base of runs and a partnership.
3rd session, Australia 245 all out, England 1-0, 244 behind at the end of day one: England finished the day as they started and kept it - under total control. Australia drawing a frustrated and sad picture with their skipper left wondering how and where everything went so drastically wrong after winning the toss.
Ups: What a day of cricket! What drama! What disaster! What mayhem! What action! What's next?! That's what the fans pay and come for. Can't get enough of it! Those fans that came in a bit late at the start of the day and missed the opening three wickets will be biting themselves - they'll be spot on time tomorrow I bet you!
Downs & Hero to zero: When nothing's going your way, nothing's going your way. That's definitely what Ricky Ponting will have felt - but there's no need to have a spitter and spatter with Andrew Strauss at the end of the day - it won't change the scoreboard!
Australia v England second Test day one as it happened
1st session:
- Day one of the second Ashes Test from the Adelaide Oval under a clear blue sky. Australia win the toss and choose to bat. Australia won by six wickets when the two sides met on this ground during the 2007 series. Andrew Strauss is not too gutted about losing this toss to Ricky Ponting, saying this pitch has bounce and movement in it, used and bowled the right way, the hosts may regret their choice, wait and see.
- Two changes for Australia, in the bowling attack, Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris in for Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus, England unchanged. Marais Erasmus and Tony Hill are the two umpires. 90 overs to be bowled today.
- James Anderson kicks the day and match off v Shane Watson - and what a start! Jonathan Trott picks up Watson's soft shot at square leg, throws the ball back and hits the stumps easily and comfortably and Simon Katich is out without facing a ball, long way out, guilty of ball-watching, schoolboy error.
- Ricky Ponting is on much earlier than he would have liked and expected, bad communication and confusion between Katich and Watson. And the skipper is out first ball! Edge and catch by Graeme Swann at second slip, out for a duck! England will love to have lost the toss after this start! Brilliant delivery, dismay for Australia! Golden duck in Ponting's 150th Test.
- Michael Clarke on, off the mark first ball he faces. That was the last ball of an unbelievable over, 1-2 after the first over. Dream start for Anderson and England. Dramatic nightmare for the Aussies.
- People are still arriving at the sold out ground and will bite themselves for missing the crunch-crash start. Stuart Broad at the other end, against a nervous Clarke and Australia. 2-2 after 2 overs.
- Anderson at full length, Clarke edges it and is gone for 1 run off 6 balls, a comfortable catch for Swann at second slip, his second of the day. Clarke's and Australia's misery continues, 2-3, Anderson will think he's still asleep dreaming.
- Mike Hussey on and off the mark with the first ball. First boundary of the day makes it 11-3 at the end of the third over.
- Broad v Hussey, England appeal for a catch behind, there was a noise, but it was the bat nudging the pad, long way off the ball, Strauss knows it and doesn't bother to have it reviewed.
- Maiden over for Broad, 11-3 after 4 overs.
- Anderson lbw appeal v Watson, first review used, the bowler is confident as always, replays show it bounced too high though, big stride by Watson, umpire's decision stands, not out, England lose one of their two reviews.
- Another maiden, 11-3 after 5 overs.
- 12-3 after 6 overs.
- Anderson continues v Hussey - and misses a catch low to his left, the ball bouncing off his fingers, ugh, he knows! Anxious times for Australia. 14-3 after 7 overs.
- Watson's smash and boundary makes it 24-3 after 8 overs.
- Anderson v Hussey, inside edge drops short in front of Swann at second slip. Australia everything else but off the hook. 25-3 after 9 overs, pressure still on the hosts.
- Steven Finn comes into the attack, on for Broad at the Cathedral end, v Hussey. Single, followed by a square drive for four by Watson and another single. 31-3 after 10 overs, 29-run partnership off 47 deliveries, Watson on 17, Hussey on 12.
- 36-3 after 11 overs.
- 42-3 after 12 overs.
- Anderson gets a warning from the umpire, his foot on the line of the stumps, has to be careful. 43-3 after 13 overs, time for drinks.
- Australia 94-3 at lunch.
2nd session:
- Watson gone for 51 (94) caught by Pietersen, 7 fours 1 six, Australia 96-4, 94 partnership off 156 balls.
- North v Anderson, two slips, two gullies, all wickets by Anderson so far apart from the run out.
- Hussey on 37 (71), v Swann, edge bounces off silly point's pad, close one, 97-4.
- Anderson stays on, boundary by Hussey brings up 100 for Australia, not much applause and cheers for that. 101-4 end of the over.
- North 26 (93), 4 fours; caught behind off Finn, soft dismissal, 156-5, 60 partnership off 159 balls. Hussey on 71* (138); 6 fours, 0 sixes; will he run out of partners? Haddin on 2* (6).
- 159-5 at tea after 57 overs.
3rd session:
- Swann v Hussey, just a couple off the over. 161-5.
- Anderson v Haddin at the other end. Haddin scores with ease and conviction v Swann, 174-5.
- Hussey is out for 93 (183), caught at off-slip by off Swann, Australia 207-7.
- Harris is out next ball, lbw, big shout, given out, he sends it straight to review saying he's hit it, replays show maybe a feather of an inside edge, ball hits both pads, clipping the outside of leg stump, the umpire's decision stands. Cruel one, still out though, looked dead first hand, Australia 207-7, Swann on a hat-trick v Xavier Doherty, two dot balls to finish the over.
- 212-7 after 75 overs.
- Swann v Haddin lbw shout not given, sent to be reviewed, replays show, the ball hits the pad outside the line, decision stands and England have no reviews left, Australia 224-7.
- Oh oh, another mix up, Doherty run out for 6 (19), should have been an easy single, the ball picked up by Strauss who causes the confusion between the batsmen, throws it to the wicketkeeper who stumps it, Australia 226-8, Haddin on 40, Peter Siddle on as the new batsmen.
- New ball taken and the fast bowlers are back on.
- Anderson is back into attack from the river end, on for Finn, v Siddle, 227-8.
- Broad from the cathedral end, v Haddin. Haddin reaches his half century with a smashing 6, 53 (86), Australia 242-8.
- Siddle out next over, caught by Cook off Anderson, easy chip-catch, 3 (21), last man Doug Bollinger on, Anderson figures so far 18.3-4-51-4, Australia 243-9. 85th over.
- Broad starts his 19th over. Haddin smacks the ball up into the air into Finn's hands off Broad, comfortable catch, had enough time to set himself, Haddin's out for 56 (95), Australia 245 all out.
- England have an uncomfortable over ahead before the end of the day... Ryan Harris maiden 1-0 at the end thanks to an extra, 244 behind. Ponting's having a go at Strauss on their way to the pavilion, both in each other's face. Tense times for Australia.
My picks of the first day:
Australia won the toss and that was the only thing that went their way on the first day of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval. England, their own clumsiness and a bit of misfortune tore them up to 245 all out. James Anderson is the man of the day with four wickets after giving Australia most pain and vain. England finished the day on 1-0, 244 behind, full of confidence and high expectations after all spoils went to them on the first day.
Run of Play: Advantage to...
1st session, Australia 94-3 at lunch: England could not have dreamt up this start, Australia in dismay. After a chaotic nightmare start to the morning at 2-3, the hosts recovered a little bit before the break thanks to Watson and Hussey.
2nd session, Australia 159-5 at tea: England again as happy as Larry, keeping Australia under pressure constantly, giving none of their batsmen time or room to settle and build up a solid base of runs and a partnership.
3rd session, Australia 245 all out, England 1-0, 244 behind at the end of day one: England finished the day as they started and kept it - under total control. Australia drawing a frustrated and sad picture with their skipper left wondering how and where everything went so drastically wrong after winning the toss.
Partnerships: The top three partnerships in runs show how the day has been for the batting side: After a nightmare start and their side shaking on 2-3, the partnership of 94 runs between Shane Watson and Mike Hussey steadied the ship a bit before the lunch break giving them the hope for the innings to stabilise and become a bit more of a competition again in the afternoon. But Watson gave away an easy catch after the break (51), inept to convert the start into a big and more competitive score. Marcus North came on to join Hussey for 60 runs, another start but North ended any hope of a partnership by being caught behind (26). Just when you thought Hussey was running out of partners, he set up a good partnership with Brad Haddin, but ended it himself on 51, being caught at slip before reaching his 13th Test century, disappointing after his 195 in the first Test and the record partnership the two set up at Brisbane. With his departure Australia's hope for salvation vanished too, Ben Hilfenhaus replacement Ryan Harris falling the next delivery and the last three falling for only 38. They just never got in there.
Bowling: Anderson enjoyed most of the wickets and pressure on the Aussies for the first half of the day. Then the change to Steven Finn and Graeme Swann meant more wickets and doom and gloom and the end for Australia. Stuart Broad at least had one wicket to cheer about, but is not at half of his best yet. Anderson is definitely the man of the day, his speed and beauties kept Australia on their toes and made them slip and trip up on more than one occasion. Swann was lucky to get the lbw decision against Harris as it looked like the ball gave a hint of a touch onto the bat, however, he definitely did his part to keep the hosts frustrated and dismayed too.
Ups: What a day of cricket! What drama! What disaster! What mayhem! What action! What's next?! That's what the fans pay and come for. Can't get enough of it! Those fans that came in a bit late at the start of the day and missed the opening three wickets will be biting themselves - they'll be spot on time tomorrow I bet you!
Downs & Hero to zero: When nothing's going your way, nothing's going your way. That's definitely what Ricky Ponting will have felt - but there's no need to have a spitter and spatter with Andrew Strauss at the end of the day - it won't change the scoreboard!
Australia v England second Test day one as it happened
1st session:
- Day one of the second Ashes Test from the Adelaide Oval under a clear blue sky. Australia win the toss and choose to bat. Australia won by six wickets when the two sides met on this ground during the 2007 series. Andrew Strauss is not too gutted about losing this toss to Ricky Ponting, saying this pitch has bounce and movement in it, used and bowled the right way, the hosts may regret their choice, wait and see.
- Two changes for Australia, in the bowling attack, Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris in for Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus, England unchanged. Marais Erasmus and Tony Hill are the two umpires. 90 overs to be bowled today.
- James Anderson kicks the day and match off v Shane Watson - and what a start! Jonathan Trott picks up Watson's soft shot at square leg, throws the ball back and hits the stumps easily and comfortably and Simon Katich is out without facing a ball, long way out, guilty of ball-watching, schoolboy error.
- Ricky Ponting is on much earlier than he would have liked and expected, bad communication and confusion between Katich and Watson. And the skipper is out first ball! Edge and catch by Graeme Swann at second slip, out for a duck! England will love to have lost the toss after this start! Brilliant delivery, dismay for Australia! Golden duck in Ponting's 150th Test.
- Michael Clarke on, off the mark first ball he faces. That was the last ball of an unbelievable over, 1-2 after the first over. Dream start for Anderson and England. Dramatic nightmare for the Aussies.
- People are still arriving at the sold out ground and will bite themselves for missing the crunch-crash start. Stuart Broad at the other end, against a nervous Clarke and Australia. 2-2 after 2 overs.
- Anderson at full length, Clarke edges it and is gone for 1 run off 6 balls, a comfortable catch for Swann at second slip, his second of the day. Clarke's and Australia's misery continues, 2-3, Anderson will think he's still asleep dreaming.
- Mike Hussey on and off the mark with the first ball. First boundary of the day makes it 11-3 at the end of the third over.
- Broad v Hussey, England appeal for a catch behind, there was a noise, but it was the bat nudging the pad, long way off the ball, Strauss knows it and doesn't bother to have it reviewed.
- Maiden over for Broad, 11-3 after 4 overs.
- Anderson lbw appeal v Watson, first review used, the bowler is confident as always, replays show it bounced too high though, big stride by Watson, umpire's decision stands, not out, England lose one of their two reviews.
- Another maiden, 11-3 after 5 overs.
- 12-3 after 6 overs.
- Anderson continues v Hussey - and misses a catch low to his left, the ball bouncing off his fingers, ugh, he knows! Anxious times for Australia. 14-3 after 7 overs.
- Watson's smash and boundary makes it 24-3 after 8 overs.
- Anderson v Hussey, inside edge drops short in front of Swann at second slip. Australia everything else but off the hook. 25-3 after 9 overs, pressure still on the hosts.
- Steven Finn comes into the attack, on for Broad at the Cathedral end, v Hussey. Single, followed by a square drive for four by Watson and another single. 31-3 after 10 overs, 29-run partnership off 47 deliveries, Watson on 17, Hussey on 12.
- 36-3 after 11 overs.
- 42-3 after 12 overs.
- Anderson gets a warning from the umpire, his foot on the line of the stumps, has to be careful. 43-3 after 13 overs, time for drinks.
- Australia 94-3 at lunch.
2nd session:
- Watson gone for 51 (94) caught by Pietersen, 7 fours 1 six, Australia 96-4, 94 partnership off 156 balls.
- North v Anderson, two slips, two gullies, all wickets by Anderson so far apart from the run out.
- Hussey on 37 (71), v Swann, edge bounces off silly point's pad, close one, 97-4.
- Anderson stays on, boundary by Hussey brings up 100 for Australia, not much applause and cheers for that. 101-4 end of the over.
- North 26 (93), 4 fours; caught behind off Finn, soft dismissal, 156-5, 60 partnership off 159 balls. Hussey on 71* (138); 6 fours, 0 sixes; will he run out of partners? Haddin on 2* (6).
- 159-5 at tea after 57 overs.
3rd session:
- Swann v Hussey, just a couple off the over. 161-5.
- Anderson v Haddin at the other end. Haddin scores with ease and conviction v Swann, 174-5.
- Hussey is out for 93 (183), caught at off-slip by off Swann, Australia 207-7.
- Harris is out next ball, lbw, big shout, given out, he sends it straight to review saying he's hit it, replays show maybe a feather of an inside edge, ball hits both pads, clipping the outside of leg stump, the umpire's decision stands. Cruel one, still out though, looked dead first hand, Australia 207-7, Swann on a hat-trick v Xavier Doherty, two dot balls to finish the over.
- 212-7 after 75 overs.
- Swann v Haddin lbw shout not given, sent to be reviewed, replays show, the ball hits the pad outside the line, decision stands and England have no reviews left, Australia 224-7.
- Oh oh, another mix up, Doherty run out for 6 (19), should have been an easy single, the ball picked up by Strauss who causes the confusion between the batsmen, throws it to the wicketkeeper who stumps it, Australia 226-8, Haddin on 40, Peter Siddle on as the new batsmen.
- New ball taken and the fast bowlers are back on.
- Anderson is back into attack from the river end, on for Finn, v Siddle, 227-8.
- Broad from the cathedral end, v Haddin. Haddin reaches his half century with a smashing 6, 53 (86), Australia 242-8.
- Siddle out next over, caught by Cook off Anderson, easy chip-catch, 3 (21), last man Doug Bollinger on, Anderson figures so far 18.3-4-51-4, Australia 243-9. 85th over.
- Broad starts his 19th over. Haddin smacks the ball up into the air into Finn's hands off Broad, comfortable catch, had enough time to set himself, Haddin's out for 56 (95), Australia 245 all out.
- England have an uncomfortable over ahead before the end of the day... Ryan Harris maiden 1-0 at the end thanks to an extra, 244 behind. Ponting's having a go at Strauss on their way to the pavilion, both in each other's face. Tense times for Australia.
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